Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Falcon Ridge '07 recovery

So here I am, two days after attending the festival for the first time in 7 years. I never thought we'd be invited back but there we were, me, brit, and kristen just like old times playing the Zodiac every morning for cheerful families. And yes, it was beautiful. Smily faces, love in the air. Just the way it's supposed to be. I had a very fun little set in Saturday over on the Family Stage as well. Some of the more memorable moments were what I would consider uncharacteristic of Falcon Ridge. The Polka band for instance. It was marvelous. Cheese with cheese sauce. An announcer/ band leader with a voice for radio, more product in his hair than Cher, and a polka version of Margaritaville. A horn section to rival James Browns'.

Anyway, great fun was had. However, that said, this songwriter has yet to find his place among his peers. I mean on Saturday night I made it up the hill for some "song swaps". Felt alot like an outside version on the folk alliance conference. Alot of sitting and listening to so-so songs, occasional great songs and some real bombs so that you can have your turn to shine. It just doesn't feel right to me. This Pete Seeger raised, fiddle tune playing, metal, old school hip hop, old time loving folkie wants to jam and share organically. Not politely with my hands folded. On Friday of the fest I ran into an informal jam with a member of red molly and a few others. It was the way it's supposed to be. We were ALL singing, all loving the moment. That's what it comes down to--maximizing how many people are LOVING the moment . Not sophorifically waiting turns to share heartfelt lyrics. OK, I know there's a place for that, but I guess I just realized how much I have to suck up to break into the "singer songwriter" scene. It's so much easier to just pick lots of notes and have a good time...Been there done that (and getting paid for it too) but I guess it's time to aspire to get paid dozens of dollars so that everyone will be quiet while I make love to the air with my heart felt lyrics.

Love,
PS

PS- All that said, there were some great songs in that Saturday jam over in the Tribes Hill tent.